NEWS IN BRIEF

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23109, 8 February 1937, Page 16

NEWS IN BRIEF

“An outstanding of some of the early councils was that their members dearly loved an argument, and numerous instances occur in the minutes where there would be a motion and up to five amendments on seemingly not very important subjects,” said the chairman, Mr W. G. Belton, in responding to a toast at the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Patea County Council last week Mr Belton instanced a case where there was a motion and four amendments regarding the salary to be paid to the chairman, one councillor proposing that no remuneration should be paid. Eventually the council had unanimously decided on an honorarium of £SO and had then adjourned for half an hour. Probably, Mr Belton added in jocular vein, this was in order to allow the chairman to “ shout.”

Despite an abnormally wet season, reiums from ryegrass harvesting m Hawke’s Bay are proving satisfactory. The seed is cleaner and freer from impurities than was last season’s crop, and less burr, clover, and goosegrass are present in the harvested seed. Paddocks where drainage has been poor will probably suffer from lack of germination, but generally the crop returns will prove pleasGrandism (3106); There’s that something about Granvin that brings a happy glow to appetites every time you drink it; bottle, 5s. —The Grand...

ing to growers. “ In contrast to the paucity of trout at Taupo the ‘road hog’ is very prolific on the highway between Rotorua and Taupo, ’ stated an Aucklander who has just returned from a fishing holiday. Many motorists were raising the dust at speeds of 50 and 60 miles an hour. The roadmen who are carrying out the sealing work are courtesy itself. They give every assistance where detours are necessary. Indeed, I actually saw a large number of Mr Semple’s ‘ gentlemen in dungarees,’ but mighty few ‘ gentlemen ’ driving motor cars—or ‘ ladies ’ either,” he added feelingly. The epidemic is passing away, and all patrons of the Waterloo Hotel, Caversham, need have no fear of any contagion. Good spirits keep away all troubles...

While playing on the beach at East End recently (states the Taranaki Herald), two children came across what appeared to them to be a strange type of crab. Small in size, it was covered all over with moss-like growths of varying shades of pale green. Mr W. W. Smith, the wellknown New Plymouth naturalist, identified it as a common moss crab, which, he said, lived in the moss at the bottom of the sea. The growths were there as a protection. Rough weather often dislodged them from the moss and they were washed up on beaches. Buyers in and around Milton are having a good time at Gray's “ Big Store” Sale. Millinery, dresses, dress materials, clothing, and .hardware all have their special attraction... , When posing for a photograph on the summit of Mount Egmont, a big St. Bernard dog, which is quartered at the Stratford Mountain House, suddenly pricked his ears and sprang off the rock in pursuit of a weasel which Broke cover near by. The St. Bernard’s small companion joined in the hunt and pursued the weasel about the crater; The huge dog soon tired of the chase, but the small one continued the hunt while his companion watched. The weasel was chased past the St. Bernard, which, with amazing agility, sprang on the'prey and despatched it with one snap. Why the weasel climbed over 8000 ft to the summit of the mountain is a mystery. It is known, however, that hares have reached the top, and some time ago a dead kiwi was found in the crater. A very successful shot, which involved the use of 2i tons of explosive, costing about £4OO, was made at quarries on the bank of the Waikato River above Tuakau, last week. A tunnel was driven into the huge rock face for 116 ft, and into this the explosive was packed. A muffled report and a violent shaking of the ground marked the explosion of the giant charge. The rock face lifted slightly, and then 15,000 yards of metal, which will be crushed for highways, crashed down into the quarry. Special showing of curtains, cretonnes, shadpws, hearth rugs, squares, and linos, this week. See special window and interior display. All new goods. Prices right. Buy now.— The Mosgiel Drapery Warehouse. A. F. Cheyne and Co.

A Napier establishment employing a large staff a few days ago paid out amounts of back pay which had accumulated since the introduction of the new industrial legislation. Next day a man armed with the authority of a number of his fellow-workers conducted a tour of the tailoring businesses of the town seeking the lowest price at which 20 Suits of clothes could be made.

A unique and valuable stone mere was deposited at tile Alexander Museum at Wanganui recently. It was found fairly recently in the Wanganui River, but the stone is definitely unknown in the district. The museum authorities consider it to be very old, judging by the unusual cut at the handle end. It is of,a medium green colour, but is not greenstone. There are a few adzes in the museum of a similar green stone, which are thought to have come from the South Island. The owner has been offered a large sum by several private collectors for the mere.

Strehgth, flavour, aroma. All are found in the favourite “ Bourbon ” brand of coffee and chicory. “ Bourbon ”is produced by specialists. Instructions in every tin... Unlike the dog, which loves nothing better than a ride in the family motor car, cats are supposed to be more attached to places than to people, and are usually left at home when the family goes touring, but one of the passengers in a caravan that stopped recently at the Rotorua camping park was a handsome Persian cat, which, its owner stated, had taken with zest to life on the road. Whenever the caravan arrived at a camping place,, the owner stated, the cat would seek the security of the nearest scrub and remain there until it heard either a knife being sharpened (signifying that a meal was about to be served) or the engine of the caravan being started. Although a dozen engines might be running, puss could pick “ his ” one unerringly. At that sound he would jump into the caravan and claim his accustomed seat, at a window whence he could watch the world go past. You cannot do good work with blunt tools We employ experts who sharpen and sal saws of any size. Satisfaction guaranteed.—Dickinson’s Ltd. til Princes street..

When Major Emory Chubb was in Christchurch he had a good story to tell concerning an old London couple at the time of the war. The couple visited his firm’s premises in London and announced their desire to buy a safe. One standing over six feet high caught their fancy, but before buying it they inquired if they could stand inside it. The request was agreed to, and it was found that the safe would accommodate them both. This clinched the deal, and the couplo explained that they were very worried about the air raids, and wanted to have a place of refuge. To suit the peculiar needs special ventilation was fitted to the safe. Freshened by a bountiful summer rainfall, the bush-clad slopes of the Waitakere Ranges possess at present (says the New Zealand Herald) a charm which is described as most unusual for early February. Many oil the pohutukawas are still in flower, and residents affirm that the ferns and other native flora have rarely appeared in better condition than to-day. A party of Australian tourists who travelled to Piha recently said that (he ranges and some of the west coast beaches deserved a far wider fame than they possessed. Oxford Sausage? Just what is it? Hitchon, please do let me know. I will read your ad. to-morrow. Write it quick and don’t be 510 w....